PersonalTrusts

A trust is an effective way to help control and protect assets such as money, property or shares on behalf of someone else. It can be set up during your lifetime or through your will.

Trusts can be useful to:

Protect assets from future care home fees or third party assessments

Look after assets for young children, the elderly or disabled

Preserve family assets should a family member die, become bankrupt or divorced

Reduce your and your family’s tax liabilities

Maximise your or a family member’s access to state benefits

Protect a vulnerable family member from themselves or outside influences

There are many different types of trusts to consider so we will take the time to understand your circumstances and what you want to achieve before making suggestions that are tailored to your specific requirements.

Trustees and their role

Trustees are the people with the legal responsibility for making decisions and for the day-to-day running of the trust. This includes the completion of trust documentation, payment of taxes and where trustees have discretion the extent to which, when and who the trust provides for.

Trustees are appointed by the person creating the trust. They can be family or friends or in some circumstances it may be better to choose independent trustees. Trustees have a duty to act in the best interests of the beneficiaries and they can only do what is allowed within the trust deed so it is important to select them carefully.